Peeping Tom

Leaf peeping season has begun here in New England. I have a great respect for this time of year when the leaves start to turn. Being from Chicago, I have never seen anything like it, and I really try to take it in for all its natural beauty.

 

I mean can you believe these colors?!

 

all images via google

 

 

Makes you want to snuggle up in a comfy sweater and sip warm apple cider.

 

The best part is that the colors will only get better and better from now until the end of October. So amazing to watch mother nature at work :)

XOXO Katie

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Stalkworthy

Do you ever feel like after looking (ok, stalking...) some people's Pinterest boards that you would totally want to be friends with them in real life? I know that sounds weird, but there are a few people that I follow on Pinterest that I swear totally pin EVERYTHING that makes me drool and gets me to hit repin instantly.

 

 

So that got me to thinking, what do I think makes someone an awesome pinner?

Here is a little list of criteria I would use to officially become your pinterest stalker (totally personal- you can judge as you see fit):

1. You love relatively healthy recipes that actually look appetizing (aka no weird things like quinoa, tofu, strange green things that I have no idea where I would even find it in the grocery store). On the flip side, I like sweets and junk food like the rest of 'em, but I can't look at brownies and cheese dips all day without fearing I will get cellulite in my desk chair.
 

2. You don't have a board called "For my future wedding when I meet Mr. Right." Come on now, lets get real. You should just be like my sister and have a secret file on her computer called "Investments" where she hides all of her wedding inspiration pics from her boyfriend and keep that private until he puts a ring on it. Sorry Jessie, but its true!

 

 

3. Your home decor pins have an emphasis on one thing- keeping your home light and bright. I have learned a lot about my design style and preferences in interior space. If it does not have amazing natural light then it is just not for me.

 

 

4. You love clothes but realize that life is not a runway or nightclub 24/7. You have a comfortable and casual style that mixes in basics with a pop of color or cute accessories.

 

 

5. You love DIY projects, but don't go all theme happy or make your home look like Michael's was having a flash sale and you took home the entire craft section. You keep things classy and generally glitter-free.

 

 

6. You don't pin photos of super toned girls in their workout clothes because you know that no matter what they subtitle says, a "30 pound in 30 day diet" is always a lie.

 

7. You are what I like to dub a "picky pinner." You only pin maybe a 15-20 things a week, but everything you pin is thought out and deliberate. Not a free for all to see how much you can pin during your lunch hour. Your boards are well organized and not cluttered or repetitive.
 

8. You are 100% confident that your baby/child will be absolutely adorable and perfectly dressed in trendier clothing than most of us grown women. Because of course our babies will all be that beautiful, right?! May as well start planning for their future Baby Gap modeling careers now :)

 

 

9. You DO NOT post your pins to your Facebook wall. The double exposure is just too much, if we want to see what you pin then we know where to find you.

 
 

10. Finally, and most importantly, you love all things having to do with kittens. Yeeaaah, that's probably just me...


 

Do you guys have any thoughts on what makes someone a "stalk-worthy" pinner??

 

 

XOXO Katie

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Getting Back into the Groove

Happy Monday, All! I hope your weekends were fun filled and you welcomed the official beginning of fall with open arms. This is by far my favorite time of year with its scarves, boots, and vests all screaming my name.

This weekend was a little slow on my end with a husband who was MIA from working over 48 hours straight. So I spent my time doing the laundry and cleaning that I've been putting off since our return from our Labor Day trip (bad, I know). I did pat myself on the back for pounding out 9 loads of laundry in just under 3.5 hours. It's the small things that keep me going :)

But I was thinking about I have been slacking in one category of my blogging endeavor- my DIY projects. This summer was such a whirlwind with travel, weddings, work, and general life stresses, that I have totally neglected my love for doing DIYs. So I am going to really make an effort to get back in the swing of things with my projects.

I have been compiling a few ideas that you will hopefully see in the future from little ole' me, and I just cross my fingers that I will get around to doing at least 1/3 of what I set out to do. So here at the thoughts that are swimming around in my head at the moment.

 

Make a pouf / ottoman to go with my new chair in my bedroom:

 

via Decorpad, source: Turquoise LA

 

Try etching on glassware- maybe a vase for my guest bathroom:

 

via Social Graces
 
 

Make cute seat cushions for our plain white bar stools:

 

via Ballard Design

 

Do something with the 30+ brooch/clip on earring pieces that my Mom gave me:



via AmoreTreasure on Etsy

Anyone else have any upcoming projects that you are excited about?!

 

 

 

XOXO Katie

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Like It Was Yesterday

 

 Happy 3 year anniversary to my wonderful husband! I can't believe its already been three years since we said "I do" because I still remember every moment like it was yesterday.

 

Lots has happened in the in the last few years, and I love you more now than ever before. I am excited to see what the next 50+ years bring, because the last 11 will be hard to beat!

 

I am truly blessed to have found a man like you.

 

 

 

 

 

XOXO Katie

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Getting My Fitness On

 

So I have decided that with the turning leaves of the fall, I am going to turn a new leaf myself.

 

I will be the very first person to admit that I have not worked out since maybe March of 2009. I don't know what my issue is, but I HATE going to the gym. The idea of coming home and changing, driving to the gym, sweating for an hour, and them coming home and cooking/cleaning/blogging sounds exhausting!

 

But today is a new day and I am going to really give it a go. I decided that my biggest issue is actually getting to the gym, so I have been browsing Pinterest all morning looking for at-home workouts that may solve my problem. I really want to focus on my arm, hips, stomach, and upper thighs (yeah, just realized its pretty much my whole body that needs some tuning up...) so here are some things I have found so far:

via backonpointe.tumblr.com

 

via weightloss.health.com

 

What are your favorite at home workouts? Any favorite videos or websites that motivate you?

 

I don't have room for any work out equipment other than a set of weights, so I need to be creative!

XOXO Katie

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Slip into Something Comfy

I am on the hunt for a good "bridge shoe". Something that will take me from summer over to fall since I am not ready to break out the boots just yet.

 

I have been lusting over the slipper shoes out there, but as usual, my budget is pretty limited. But then I came across these super affordable options at none other than good old JCPenny.

 

Check it out...the top pic was my inspiration and below are my finds!

 

When was the last time I had even been into a JCPennys....1997 maybe? Who knew they still existed?! I am not sure if there is one close to me, but luckily these adorable shoes are available online. They range from $15-$40 so I am not feeling too guilty about that this little seasonal addition.

XOXO Katie

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Rockin' the Rebel and Giveaway Winner!

I am so excited to break in my new toy!

My parents got me a Canon Rebel T3 for the big 2-8 and I could not be more excited to learn how to use this sucker.

 

Not gonna lie, it look me over an hour to figure out how to use the auto focus (clearly I had not figured it out before I took this pic), so please bear with me while I try to make sense of this thing.

 

I have started to look in to taking a class because I know how I want my photos look, but I don't know how to achieve it. So I will leave that to the professional and not even pretend that I can figure it out on my own.

 

Anyone else out there take a class to improve your blog photo skills? So many of you have stunning pics, so you must have learned it somewhere right?!

 

On another fun note, the winner of the leg warmer giveaway has been chosen:

 

Emily B.

 

powered by random.org

 

Thank you everyone for participating and don't worry because there will be another giveaway coming up very shortly. So better luck next time!

XOXO Katie

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Just Like Taco Bell

We had a few days of rain last week and I just felt like snuggling up with the hubs, the kittens, and a something to fill my tummy up. Even though its still in the 80's during the day, the evenings are starting up cool off and my soup recipes are starting to come out of the woodwork.

 

I am sure Joey is appreciating that I am trying to add a few items into our dinner rotation because he recently referred to my cooking as "Just like Taco Bell." When I said, "Umm...what are you trying to tell me?" He said, " Your cooking is just like Taco Bell, as in its the same flavors but in different forms." Yeah, he poured himself a bowl of cereal that night...

 

After an evening of cereal and gummy worms, I decided to embrace this dubbed south of the border cooking style and dusted off one on my favorite recipes:

 

Chicken Tortilla Soup

 

 

 

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

Cook Time: 1.5 Hours

 

Ingredients:

4 cups fat free chicken stock

1Tbs olive oil

1/2 cup water
3 chicken breasts
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
4 jalapeno peppers, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups frozen corn

3Tbs low fat cream cheese
1 cup cilantro, chopped
2 Tbs fat free sour cream

 

Start by cooking the chicken breast in a pan on the stove. When I am just cooking plain chicken that is unseasoned like that I put 1 Tbs olive oil in the pan and once it set a little sear going I add about 1/2 cup of water and put a lid on the pan. This helps speed up the cooking process and does not dry out the meat.

 

While chicken is cooking combine chicken broth, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, jalapenos, garlic, cumin, chili powder, and cayenne pepper in a large soup pot. Turn heat on medium.

 

Cube the cooked chicken and add to the soup pot.

 

Cook on medium for 30 minutes so there is a very low boil. After 30 minutes turn it to low and add the black beans, corn, and cream cheese. Cover and cook on for another 30 minutes.

Chop cilantro and cut lime slices for garnish.

 

Dish it out with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of the cilantro and you are good to go! This soup is so yummy and really is pretty healthy considering its so filling.

 

Now the hubs better not call my cooking Taco Bell after this meal, and if he does then you know who will be going the dishes from here until FOREVER!
 

 

  **leg warmer giveaway ends tonight at 11:59PM!! So enter now, and the winner will be announced tomorrow!**

 

XOXO Katie

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Flaunt Your Feathers

The moons collided with the great find that I had this weekend. I was walking around the block to our local market to buy an ingredient for my latest Pinterest inspired meal, and I stumbled upon small and somewhat...ahhem informal flea market on the lawn of our neighborhood recreation center. I have seen this group of characters there before and usually take a quick glance, but never find anything good. Unless you want a crude oil painting of JFK wearing clown costume to go above your fireplace. If so, then this flea market is for you.

 

Please note the bed pan in this pic- true gems here for sure :)

 

Well, after taking in the "interesting" array of goodies I came across a set of  gold aluminum peacocks that I knew just had to be mine. I knew the vendor was desperate when I had asked the price and she just replied with, "Well, make me an offer." Game on, Lady. And after pretending to look concerned about the flaking paint and one bent feather I blurted out, "Well, I have $5 dollars in my purse. So that's the best I can do....for both" And guess what?! She said "Then I guess I have no choice- $5 it is." Dunzo! These boys were mine!

 

They are now perched above the side table in our living room, which was screaming for some kind of sculptural work because another piece of art would have been too close to the botanical series above the couch.

 

 

 

I love the way the peacock image in carried out through interior design. It can go from traditional, to bohemian, to art deco so seamlessly. Considering the peacock represents rebirth, immortality, and love I am happy to have these statement pieces in my home.

 

Here are some other uses of the image that I just love...

 

I have been on the hunt for the last 2 years for a brass screen like the one above. I think it would look amazeballs in front of my faux fireplace that I installed forever ago! I am thinking that I need to suck it up and just order it on Ebay.

XOXO Katie

**Just a reminder the leg warmer giveaway still open for entries- so enter now because there are only 2 days left until the winner is announced!**

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Rules, Shmules...

So I have a confession. I am such a cheapo that I had been holding off buying any clothes (other than my thrift store finds) for the last few months because I knew once labor day hit everything would go on super sale. I went the whole summer lusting over a classic pair of white skinny jeans and finally caved when they were on super sale at Old Navy. They were 30% off, plus I bought them through Ebates which gave me an additional 5% cash back. So all in all, I was at $23ish all in. Yep, I am that cheap...

 

Here is the dilemma, I ordered them with enough time to wear them at least once before the "no white after labor day" deadline, but I was a dumb butt and entered the wrong shipping zip code on my order. So it was no surprise that when my delivery date came and went, Old Navy customer service said "No problem, we will reship those to you but please allow 9 to 12 business days for redelivery." Poops:(

 

Then after some inner reflection and realizing that this was serious #firstworldproblems, I decided,  "Skrew it!" I am wearing these suckers as long as I want. So sue me! I totally think that white pants can be transitioned into a fall look with no problemo.

 

Here are a few looks that I pulled together to demonstrate that I am thinking for my white skinnys this season.

 Jeans / Sweater / Jacket / Scarf / Bag / Boots

Jeans / Sweater / Trench / Bag / Shoes

 

 

 **Just a reminder the leg warmer giveaway still open for entries- so enter now because there are only 3 days left until the winner is announced!**
 

XOXO Katie

 

**Only 3 more days to enter the leg warmer giveaway !!**

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Sneak Peek into KFD

Quick sneak peek into what is coming up this fall at Katie Fobes Design on Etsy!

 

 

 

Super excited for this new leopard pattern, and I am just deciding what other colors to add to the mix. But I think the most important thing is for me to ask, "What colors do YOU want to see available this fall?"

 

What are you gravitating towards this season when picking your accessories?

 

Going for darker, moodier neutrals? Or are you feeling the bold pops of color to liven up your look?

 

Let me know and I will make it happen!!

 

 

 

XOXO Katie

 

**Just a reminder the leg warmer giveaway  still open for entries- so enter now!**

 

BTW- I was notified that some readers were having trouble commenting on the post, so if there is a problem please email me at katiefobesdesign@gmail.com, or comment on the AHWIWY facebook page!

 

 

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Giveaway for Your Gams!

Giveaway time, gals!
 

And I know you are all about the freebies- how can you pass up some good swag?! I am so excited to do my first giveaway of the fall season and this one is pretty good, if I do say so myself :)

 

I have started to dust off my boots in preparation for the first cool day of the season and I realized that mine were desperately missing a little accessorizing. That's when I found the awesomely talented and fashionable Ale of Principessa Panquecitos.

 

 

Ale's hand knit leg warmers are made to order and with lots of love for anyone with a case of chronic calf chilly-willies. She makes them in youth or ladies sizes so you can choose whatever you need this season. You can choose from ten (count 'em TEN!) different colors  and she will whip them up for you before the first leaf hits the ground.

How are you ever going to just choose one?! Your boots will look bare without these babies this year. Check out samples of the colors on Ale's Etsy site Principessa Panquecitos, where she also has knit caps and hair accessories in addition to the adorable leggies.
 

Here's how it works ladies- 

These are the 4 ways you can enter to win:

 

*EVERYONE THAT ENTERS MUST BE A GFC Follower*

 

1. Comment and say "These leggies are legit!" along with what color you want to rock for fall

 

2. Put At Home When Im With You in your Blogroll

 

3.Like At Home When I'm With You on Facebook

 

4. Favorite Principessa Panquecitos on Etsy

 

If you have more than one entry, please let me know ALL IN ONE comment.

 

Good luck ladies!! Winner will be announced one week from today- September 13th. The winner will be contacted immediately and will need to choose their color and size WITHIN 3 DAYS of winning so that the leg warmers can be hand crafted for you right away.


I am feeling pretty special because Ale is swamped with orders and has put direct sales on hold for the next new weeks, but she will be doing the giveaway as a favor to my lovely readers! So can we all give a big "Thank you, Ale!!"

 

 

XOXO Katie

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Fall Is In The Air

I was pouting my way back into the office yesterday morning after practically having to be dragged kicking and screaming coming back from Chicago after the long weekend. I hate when vaca comes to an end!

 

But there was one thing that brightened my back-to-the-grind Tuesday...pumpkin flavored coffee has returned to Dunkin Ds!!

That got me thinking about all the yummy flavors that I love about the fall season. Cinnamon, nutmeg, chai spice- oh my! I have a few mainstay pumpkin recipes that I break out once the air starts to get a bit nippy. Here are some of my faves from other sites and you will see plenty of home made goodies here in the near future.

 

 

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

via Mybakingaddiction.com

 

 

Pumpkin Spice Waffles

 

via Food.com

 

Pumpkin Muffins with Cream Cheese Frosting

via Thepioneerwoman.com

 

 

Pumpkin Ice Cream

 

via Williams-sonoma.com

 

 

Pssssttt- Just a heads up that there will be a great GIVEAWAY tomorrow, so get excited!!!

 

 

XOXO Katie

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